Chapter 320
Arabella Rivera
Hot chocolate. One of my very weaknesses.
It smells so good, so pleasing, so inviting that I am torn between wanting to savor it or inhale the calming scent. Gertrude puts the cream–colored ceramic mug on my bedside table and sighs. “I know you like some marshmallows and fudge sauce
so I added some.”
“Thanks.” I murmur, squeezing the pillow between my thighs firmly to stop myself from just scrambling to drink the rich tea knowing it was hot and would likely burn the tip of my tongue like it usually does.
“Do you want anything else?” She asked in a calming tone.
I shook my head, not thinking of anything that could appease me other than hot cocoa at the moment. I was very picky on my period, also moodier than usual too.
“Has she called yet?” I asked Gertrude, turning on my back which made the pillow slip between my thighs. I reached for it and snuggled it back with a grunt of disapproval for how it now felt. I sighed and tossed it aside when it just wasn’t it anymore for me.
Gertrude laughs and sobers up after a fleeting second.” No. But I’m sure she’s on her way soon.”
I gave a nod, lips thinning into a frown.” Of course she hasn’t. Why would she care about her daughter needing tampons? Gertrude had called mother a short moment after I had told her I needed tampons. Seeing that her shift was ending in a matter of a few minutes she had trusted that mother would be quick on that essential need.
Gertrude sighed and came to settle at the foot of the bed. Her weight sinks down the mattress a bit and I giggle. She narrows her eyes. “I’m not fat. ”
I smiled. “Never said you were. ”
She rolls her eyes with a tiny smile on her lips. Her fingers wrap around my ankle and she squeezes. ” Give her some time Arabella, it has only been a few minutes since I called her-
* Fifteen minutes. ” I pointed out, interrupting the Mexican woman with hair spilling out of her bun.
Giving me the stink eye she continued. ” Exactly! She was still at work when I called her. It takes more than fifteen minutes to get here and don’t forget the supermarket in this town is always busy. She’s likely to be stuck in the checking line.”
After a few contemplating minutes I sighed in defeat. She had a point. “You’re right. “I breathed out.
Gertrude slaps my leg and gets up. “Of course I am. When have I ever not been right?”
“Uhmm when you said the Golden State Warriors would win against the Lakers in the playoffs. “I voiced out.
Gertrude puffs.” Well, I was off on that one…” She drawls out with a quick laugh.
The smile leaves her face and she peers down at me in worry. “Will you be okay here, by yourself?”
I stayed silent for a little while before nodding to reassure her. ” Yeah, as you’ve said, Margie will be here soon. Don’t worry
about me.”
Gertrude didn’t look convinced and frowned. ” When am I never worried?” She breathed out.
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I can stay until she gets back?” She suggested.
I peered at Gertrude noting how under eyes had darkened until they were visible. Her dark eyes had lost the light and were replaced by the gleam of exhaustion.
Even her shoulders were slumped in fatigue. Gertrude needed the rest and she wouldn’t get it here. Especially if mother were to catch her still around after her shift.
“No. I promise I will be safe and okay. Besides, Giveon must have missed his woman seeing that he’s pulling up a couple of seconds before your shift ends.”
Gertrude’s brows furrow in confusion. “How do you-”
A lord horn blares and Gertrude sends me a startled look. I shrugged smiling. “It’s a gift.
She grins and for the first time today, it finally reaches her eyes. “Well if you say so.” Then her eyes burned through mine in warning. Keep your phone next to you at all times and if you ever need me, call me. ”
I giggle, nodding. “Yes Ma’am.”
After a few warnings and laughs, Gertrude leaves. My heart sank when I finally hear the sound of Giveon driving away. I know I reassured her that I would be fine. But truth is, I wasn’t.
I was alone.
I sighed, getting into a sitting position and let my fingers wrap around the handle of the mug. I brought it to my lips, inhaling the pleasing aroma of cocoa and then sipped.
‘Shit.” I wince, pulling away and brought a finger to touch my tender lip. I grumble another profanity under my breath as I place the mug back down.
Uhh. “I groan, falling on my back in irritation. The cocoa was still burning hot and the scent was only mocking me as of now. I needed a distraction.
My fingers skim over my bedding aimlessly, searching for the remote that would get me off my slump. When I finally clutched the device I switched on the T.V. The last show I had been watching resumes.
I smile at the faces of Dean and Sam Winchester pops on the screen. Maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to watch a supernatural show while staying home alone. Still, they were the only ones keeping me company as of now, so I swallowed the tiny fear and continued to watch.
Soon after, the exhaustion I had been running away from hits me like a huge lug. I found my sleepy eyes closing shut until I was only surrounded by relief and dreams.
I am awoken by the soft thud of my door closing. I grunt, peeling my eyes open and frown seeing that my room is now filled with light.
My eyes shift to my bedside table and relief washed over me when I spotted the box of tampons beside the mug. Knowing it was probably mother who was home, I stretched with a yawn.
I tore my eyes away and looked outside my window. It was dark out already, still presumably early in the night. I sit up letting out another yawn. My eyes scan my room until they widen noticing that the television was off.
Knowing I wasn’t the one who put it off made me let out a groan. If it was mother, who I assume it was, she’d surely have a lot to say to me. She would have definitely noticed the cocoa too. I slumped reaching for my mug of cocoa and brought it to
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10:18 pm D
Chapter 320
my lips.
Irritation crawled its way through my body as the cold liquid washed over my tongue and traveled down my throat. I hated cold tea. I cringed but still drank it. I placed it down when I heard the sound of hushed whispers.
Gone was the dull pain in my stomach as I got off the bed with the mission of a nosey person. I scramble to my window, nearly tripping on my own feet but righted myself quickly.
I pulled the curtains aside, careful to hide in the shadows as I peered at a blonde girl climbing the tree to Haiden’s room.
He was there. Helping her as she squealed lowly and cursed. Haiden looked amused, directing her as he held in his laughter.
“Come on baby, help me.” She reached out her hand to him. She was still a branch lower and needed to climb higher if she wanted to reach him.
Peering at Haiden I couldn’t help but grit my teeth as the scene of what happened thrust into my head. He should’ve continued to ignore me. Now those alien feelings were almost too much to bear. One of those feelings was anger, the other I couldn’t detect.
“He has herpes so you’re probably better off!” The yell almost made me laugh until I realized it was I who said it.
My eyes
widen when I noticed that I had somehow come out of the shadows and was now in view of Haiden and the blonde girl whose mouth was agape in shock.
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